Using the Global Directory to find patients' organizations anywhere in the world is easy.

When you select "Search the Global Directory!" a Search form will appear.  This form allows you to select certain options to help you find the patients' organization(s) you are interested in.  These options are listed below.  It may be helpful if you print this page so you can refer to it as you do a Search.  To print, please select the "Print" link at the bottom of this page.

Global Directory Search Options

Group Name
Type in part or all of an organization's name or acronym (e.g. "ARI") here.  Note that many patients' organizations give their name in both English and another language.  If your first search is unsuccessful, then please try typing in part or all of the organization's name in English or the most likely alternative language (whichever you did not use in the first Search).

Keywords
You can use this option to type in any word or phrase that may describe the organization(s) you are trying to find.  For example, a location (e.g. Africa), a disease area (e.g. cystic fibrosis), or part of the organization's name.

IAPO Membership
The options available are -

• (any): searches both IAPO Members (currently Regular Networkers) and Non-Members
• Member: searches only IAPO Members (currently Regular Networkers)
• Non-Member: searches only IAPO Non-Members

Size
We classify patients' organizations into four sizes:

• Local: represents patients or patients' organizations in a city or area within a country (e.g. Montreal in Canada, New South Wales in Australia)
• National: represents patients or patients' organizations in a country (e.g. Denmark, USA, Nigeria)
• Regional: represents patients or patients' organizations in a region (e.g. Africa, Europe, Latin America)
• International: represents patients or patients' organizations at the global level

Location by Country
You can select any country from the list available to find any patients' organization located in that country.  Note that an organization may be based in a country, yet may represent a different geographical area.  For example, Alzheimer Europe is based in Luxembourg, yet they represent Europe.

Location by Region
This option allows you to narrow your search if you are only interested in finding organizations located within a certain region, such as Europe or Latin America.  Note that this regional classification is chosen as it is the one utilised by the World Health Organization (WHO).  The exception is that we have separated North America and Latin America & the Caribbean. 

Area Represented
This describes the geographical area represented by a patients' organization, and lists all countries and regions alphabetically.  For example, the Latin American Cystic Fibrosis Federation (FLAFQ) is based in Argentina, yet it represents all of Latin America, so the option "Latin America & the caribbean" should be selected.  For international organizations who represent all countries and regions, please select "World". 

Note that we are continuously working from our extensive records of patients' organizations worldwide to expand our Directory, so if your organization is not listed please complete our Global Directory Application Form in Word and email to us at info@patientsorganizations.org.

If you still have difficulties searching the Global Directory, please email us and we will help in any way we can.  We will also take any difficulties into account as we develop our Directory over the coming months.

Search the Global Directory!